Blackfriars

One of the most complete surviving friaries of Dominican 'black friars' in England, later converted into a Tudor house and cloth factory. Notable features include the church and the fine scissor-braced dormitory roof.

English Heritage is undertaking work to bring parts this medieval Dominican friary into use as a performing arts centre. This will include installing new internal and external lighting, heating and improving access to the building.

The current works, which are funded by English Heritage and the South West Regional Development Agency, are part of its continuing history and will give the building a new lease of life.

History

The Dominicans, or Blackfriars, first came to Gloucester in 1239 at the instigation of Sir Stephen de Hermshall.

The building of the house began almost immediately, largely with materials and funds donated by Henry III, and was completed in about 1270 as home for some forty friars.

For three centuries the friars were a familiar part of the church establishment, enjoying a revival of popularity at the very end of the Middle Ages. Unfortunately for them, the property they owned was considerable and they were suppressed, along with the larger monasteries, in 1539. By this time the number of friars living in Gloucester had fallen to just six and a prior.

A local alderman called Thomas Bell bought the Gloucester Blackfriars and converted the church into a mansion and the other buildings into a weaving factory.

In the 19th century the west range became a row of terraced houses and the library range was used for bottling.

Extensive conservation work has been carried out on the property since it came under guardianship in 1960.